Threshold Choir Connection

THRESHOLD CHOIR CONNECTION

  One of Penny’s librarian teacher friends also leads the Vancouver chapter of the Threshold Choir and came everyday with one or two other choir members to sing for Penny.

 

“When invited to a bedside, our singers serve to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying.”

  Our Richmond Hospice Coordinator of Volunteers invited the Choir to present and demonstrate at one of our Volunteer meetings a couple of years ago.  She has since joined the choir herself. 

  

  We had 2 Art Therapy students as guest presenters at last Thursdays Hospice Volunteer meeting.  It was a rich and wonderful experience of hands on learning of a new tool to add to our tool box.  After the meeting I spent a few minutes with our Coordinator and discovered that she was one of the choir members that visited Penny.  They recognized each other from the BCCA relaxation group days back in the 1990’s.  The Coordinator has also been reading my Soul Journey story and wondered if my Penny character was this person she recognized and connected with.  It was.

  When I phoned Gertie Friday morning, she told me that Penny had passed away.  It doesn’t surprise any of us that Penny chose Halloween to leave.  This is what Mary posted.

   Dear Friends of Val

   It's Lori once again.  It saddens me to inform everyone that Val passed away early this morning.       At  the same time, I take comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace...it was a long, long struggle that she fought without complaint.  Pru said she went peacefully, as she had wished.  And how very like her to choose this day!

  The outpouring of love for Val over these last few months has been astounding.  Especially in these last weeks, her room has almost always had someone there with her, and I know how she enjoyed hearing from everyone near and far.

  Last week, the Val Hamilton teacher-librarian award was presented at the BCTLA conference.  All her work for our profession and learning conditions was mentioned, and Jim Iker was in attendance. He took the time to visit Val the next day and personally thank her for all her important contributions. A real gentleman, for sure, and I know Val would be so pleased to have heard that conversation.

  Thank you, everyone, for every little thing you did to enhance Val's life and final days.
She will be missed.

*** Names in my story had been changed for confidentiality

Sage

ENRICHES OUR LIVES

My journey with Unity continues to enrich our lives.  The flow is deep and rich.

Tuesday unfolded in spectacular ways.  The hospital phoned and offered Ralph a freed up O.R. time on Friday for the procedure he is waiting for.  My monthly Alumni meeting flowed like clockwork and the monthly Hover Touch Group was also Spirit driven.

Earlier that day, I had reached out and randomly pulled out a CD to listen to while I was folding the laundry. It was From The Head To The Heart by Toni Boehm.  She was quoting Charles Fillmore.  Perfect to use at tonight's meeting.  Now what are the odds I would pick that CD from the pile.

Forward to the Hover Touch Group.  There was just Brian and I.  We prayed in and read the Daily Word.  Then we listened to the entire CD, because we could.  At the end, he discovered that he knows the author.  He had been wanting to bring her to Unity to give a workshop.  We were amazed and in awe.  The Hover Touch sessions we did were profound.  Divine spirit was obviously in charge, so much so that it was 10:30 p.m. when we finally left.

The Rest Of The Story.

Wednesday unfolds in spectacular ways.  My time with Rev Austin is productive, sprinkled with divine timed interruptions that put us in the right place at the right time.  I even enjoyed a 2 minute mini healing with one of the rental workshop participants.

On the way home, I just missed the bus.  Somehow, it felt right - like I wasn't supposed to be on that bus.  And as I was walking up No 3 Road from the sky train, there walking towards me, was a friend, Emiko.  She asked if I wanted to go somewhere for tea, and I invited her to join us at Legends where I had plans to meet Ralph for dinner. Just know, that it is not often that Ralph suggests he meet me somewhere to eat - yet today he had.  We had a wonderful visit together.

Then I heard the waitress, say "hi Ted" to someone coming in and I caught a glimpse of them and thought it was Ralph's son.  So I went into the pub area and sure enough it was.  Turned out he was with a group that were out to honor one of their friends who had passed away.  Ralph said he saw people there that he hadn't seen since they were 17, over 30 years ago.

What a wonderful flow to be in.  I will leave you with the words my friend Patricia wrote while she was at the all day Good Friday meditation at Unity.

           I am a river

             flowing and clear

          beside me flowers spring up

             to dance in the light

          above me reflected clouds

             float past on their journey

          below me Mother Earth is

             rich with gifts of color & amp; crystal

          within me resides harmonious 

             music, ebb and flow

          joy & amp; sorrow, life to be

             treasured and savored

          and a peace everlasting

           ~ step in to the river ~  

Sage 

A JAW DROPPING EXPERIENCE

Sunday October 26, 2014

Penny’s story continues.

My husband Ralph and I have tickets for the Beverley Elliott play tonight, ‘didn’t see that coming’, at the Unity Church we attend.  Her one man play was picked as the top six at this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival.  It has already been a magic filled morning of ‘accidental’ story moments that I will also submit to the 50 stories for 50 years project that is part of the churches 50^th anniversary celebration. 

 

After church we head to the Vancouver B.C. Cancer Agency to visit Penny, a dear friend I first met at the BCCA back in the early 1990’s.  She is on her journey home to the other side.  She has been unresponsive since last Wednesday.  The journey with her has been magical.  Penny was part of the core group of five of us that volunteered for years with the relaxation and Therapeutic Touch programs at the clinic.  We haven’t seen each other for years and now we have all come together again as Penny orchestrates’ her magic.

This is the story of how this jaw dropping experience unfolds.

    Penny’s hospital room is crowded when we arrive.  Gertie, one of the core group of five, is there and she takes us to the quiet room to visit with us.  This is the first time Ralph has seen her in years.  When we wander back to Penny’s room, Penny’s friends and relatives are just leaving.

   That leaves the 3 of us to visit Joan, Penny’s cousin who has been sleeping over.  The memories start to flow as we tell Joan all about back in the 1990’s when… stories.  Sandy, another core group five, arrives.  It is a wonderful afternoon of trips down memory lane.  We talked about the music therapist, Katherine, who arrived to do a rotation at BCCA as a student and then was hired on as a music therapist.  She eventually moved on and worked at Canuck Place for years and is now retired from Music Therapy.

   MY JAW DROPPED when I saw Katherine walking our way.  She had her guitar.

   Words don’t do this story justice. 

   We were treated to the most touching magical private musical concert all thanks to Penny.  After a couple of songs, Katherine added stories to our trip down memory lane.  Then more guitar playing and singing.  Another of Penny’s friends arrived and started to sing along with Katherine.  We were in heaven.

   It’s 5:00 p.m. and Ralph and I haven’t eaten.  We tell them that our churches music director, Beverley Elliott, is putting on her play tonight.  Katherine says, “ you have a dynamite of a music director “ and starts singing a song that Beverley wrote called, ‘Are You Listening’.

   That night at the play, the icing on the cake moment for us was when Beverley sang ‘Are You Listening’

Many blessings to you all.

Sage

For more about this journey with Penny, check it out at lynnstory.blogspot.ca

* names have been changed for confidentiality   

**  When we visited Penny this morning, Gertie (not her real name) told me she had read this to Penny.  Then she told me that the name I used for her was her mother’s name.

HOW DID WE MISS THIS ONE

How did we miss this one.  It is so blatantly obvious now that I see it.

  Wide awake, thinking go back to sleep – you can sleep in today.  Having conversations in my head, as ah ha – need to release and let go of that.  Smile and move on.  Then I find myself thinking of Penny.  Ah, check her blogspot, see if Mary, has added any new updates.  So, I reach for my mini iPad and nope, nothing new. 

  I reread the last entry posted by Mary.  They had agreed that she would come today to update Penny’s facebook page…  Penny would talk and Mary would write.  She talks about her visit Tuesday night, when Penny was really alert and very talkative.  Wednesday, Penny is unresponsive.

 

  And then I notice IT.

  That last entry was made on October 22, Ralphs birthday.

  I too, had a long rich meaningful visit with Penny on the Tuesday.  She even asked if I could stay longer and visit, so I did.  If you have read the Soul Journey story, it’s the day that we talked about the Richmond Library having 3D printers.  Her eyes lit up and she asked me to bring her something as she had never seen anything that was 3D printed.  She added her message to my back for Ralphs ‘human birthday card’ writing, Have fun Penny.

  As usual, I say goodbye before doing Therapeutic Touch.  I don’t normally interrupt the relaxation process by talking, but today I share the thoughts I was getting from her legs and feet.  “ images about all the places they have taken her “.  She smiles.

  Wednesday, the nurse tells me that Penny has had a rough night and that they have given her extra pain medication and she may not respond.  My visit is short.  After a bit of T.T., I leave. 

  Smiling here, as I just remembered to get my tea from the kitchen counter.  Penny had me well trained for our morning visits when I would help her with her breakfast tray.  First get her teeth, then open juice, yogurt, put jam on the toast, whatever was needed – but never put the tea bag in the cup of hot water until she wanted to.  Sometimes I would ask, “Is it tea time yet?”  Sometimes it was a ‘Yes’ and sometimes a ‘No, not yet’.  Cheers Penny as I fondly remember our time together as I drink my tea.

  I cherish the amazing connections I am noticing on this journey and wonder how many more have slipped by unnoticed.  Will I ever notice all the beautiful gifts divinely sent!  My being is filled with gratitude, so much beauty to behold.

Sage

For more of the magical moment story, find me at   lynnstory.blogspot.ca   or email me at steevesrh@hotmail.com  

MY FAVORITE RESOURCE SOURCES

There is so much to explore at the www.unity.org website.  It is a resource I use when I want material for leading the Prayer Meditation group.  Looking up the Daily Word leads me on a journey of exploring, searching and finding just what I need.

  

  Then one day under the Resources tab, I clicked ‘online radio’ and started to explore www.unity.fm  the Unity online FM radio station.  I clicked on the ‘search box’ at the top right corner and typed in a word and the archived program list came up with all the past programs that were about that subject.  I tried more words – peace, love, healing, music, meditation and the list goes on.  I start listening.  So many to choose from, even found some Della Reese programs.

  During a Wednesday night series on a book, I wonder…  So I type in the name of the book.  Archived hour long radio programs of 2 Unity ministers discussing the book week after week, chapter by chapter.  I explore further and type into the search box an author’s name, even Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.  I spend time listening to tapes of Charles talking.

 

  Recently I noticed an ‘uPray App’ which of course I promptly downloaded.  It has affirmations and meditations and you can enter a prayer request from it.

  And I haven’t even scraped the surface of this gem of a gold mine.

  This resource has been most helpful for the ongoing training portion of our monthly Prayer Chaplain meetings.  My learning continues and expands my world as my exploration leads me to YouTube video’s another of my favorite resources where I find more Charles Fillmore video’s

  Another thought a few days ago – ‘do as Silent Unity does, pray for 30 days’.  They continue praying for your prayer in their Chapel for 30 days, the least I could do is pray with them for 30 days!  Then my human self kicks in: Am I allowed to?  Do I have the right too?  What will they think?  Stuff surfacing, my stuff, still stuff stuffed in there somewhere…

  So I’ve decided.  I will make a 30 day commitment to phone 1800 NOW PRAY and ask for a prayer.

 

  What will my 1^st prayer be?  To set the tone so to speak.  Ah, A prayer for everyone who works / volunteers at Silent Unity.  My being is filled with joy, peace and well being.  Thank you Lord.

  Then my human self speaks again…  How will I know how many times I have phoned?  I will need to record it in a notebook.  Or maybe on a calendar…  Then ah, use my mini iPad Notes app.  As I am writing this, I realize that I could even use the reminders app to remind me.  Isn’t technology great.

  I am on a roll.  Yes, my first day’s prayer was for those at Silent Unity.  Day 2 was asking for the vibration of love in the universe to be increased.  Day 3 for ALL the gifts God brings us, no matter what they look like.  Day 4 for the mouse in our condo and Gods other tiny creatures, like bee’s and mosquitoes, that can scare me so.

 

  And finally, I am so grateful for this timely 50 stories for 50 years project that has put a spark in my creative flow.

Thank You all.

Sage

***SOUL JOURNEY My Treatment Story (final CHAPTER version)

SOUL JOURNEY

My Treatment Story

Every moment of my life is a blessing

Written Oct 2014

I invite you to add YOUR story perspective!

Chapter 1      BEFORE THE TREATMENT         MONDAY, TUESDAY… my treatment journey 

              

  Every moment of my life is a blessing, even this chapter called Cancer Treatment.  My desire is to clearly tell this magically lined story and touch the hearts of all those that are connected to it in some way.   Sitting here reflecting on the chain of events that led up to my first day of radiation treatment at the B.C. Cancer Agency in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, I notice there are moments months earlier that paved the way.

  Serendipity was at work leading the way to this moment in time, my first day of radiation treatment.  Months earlier, my husband was told to get Aveeno moisturizer for a skin condition he was dealing with.  Then on a grocery shopping trip with hand soap on the list, he brought home Ivory, not his usual choice.  Both are on the ‘skin care’ list the medical staff had reviewed with us.  Strange, we had nothing to buy as we already magically had everything recommended long before radiation treatment was even talked about.

  It was August 11^th, 2014 when I had my first consultation with the Radiation Oncologist.  The days leading up to the appointment when I found myself awfulizing and fretting over what I wanted to do, I would remind myself that it was not decision time in that moment and that I would know when the time came what decision to make.  The moment came and the decision was an easy one.  It felt right so I agreed to have radiation treatments.

  The agency phoned with an Aug 20^th appointment date for planning and CT Scan.  The agency phoned to cancel that appointment and rescheduled for Aug 28^th and then a rescheduling for Sept 2 and again for Sept 8.  My reaction to all the delays was one of joy.  I was relieved, I had more time.  I chose to be the observer and trust that all was as it should be in the divine scheme of things.  (note here, we actually went to the Agency on Sept 2 to find that the appointment had been rescheduled and the computer showed that the husband had been contacted.  LOL  If Ralph had told me, I guess I wasn’t listening.  We laughed and went off and had lunch and a wonderful day)

  Sept 8 was a magical day.  The spa like ‘hot towel warmth’ of the mask making process had me totally relaxed.  My husband enjoyed seeing the mechanics of the process.  I bet there was a magical story of serendipity there too, but I missed it.

  The agency phoned and my 1^st appointment for treatment would be Sept 17^th.  You guessed it, that date was rescheduled to Sept 22 at 8:15 a.m.

This is what I noticed.

Sat, Sept 13/14

-          We went to the Waterfront Dock Workers Competition on Mitchell Island where there were various booth displays set up.  I got a butterfly face painting and an airbrush tattoo of a lady on my arm (upside down so it would be right side up when my arm was raised above my head in position on the treatment table)  Both gave me great comfort in the days to come.

Sat, Sept 20/14

-          Connected with 2 friends we hadn’t seen for months while at the South Arm United church annual fall fair.

Sun, Sept 21/14

-          There is a man I will call Pete, that sits asking for change at the skytrain station that we have forged a friendship with over the past year and he has been a big part of my personal growth journey.  Got a hug this morning on the way to Unity, when he was standing up.  (this is another magical story needing to be shared)

CHAPTER 2        THE DAY HAS COME             MONDAY, TUESDAY… my treatment journey

               

Monday, Sep’t 22, 2014

-          The day has come.  Off we travel on the bus and skytrain where I find Pete standing.  Two days in a row I get a standing Pete hug.   

-          Talked to lady with tattoo’s on the sky train (another story within the story)

-          Noticed a Louise Hay book on the used book rack in main floor lobby at BCCA

-          Saw a friend I haven’t seen for years in the BCCA hallway.  She told me Penny, another friend from the past that I haven’t seen for years, is up on the 5^th floor.

-          We are instructed to follow the Orange Line, on the hallway floor, to the elevators that take us to floor ‘0’ Unit A.  On the way we stop and say hi to the pack of stuffed dogs huddled in the corner.  This would become a daily ritual with Ralph sometimes barking at them or rearranging them.

-          Check in at Unit A to be told that I have the wrong appointment time and place.  A staff person takes us back up to the 2^nd floor for a 9:30 appointment for planning ‘mask’ making, CT Scan.  I explain that I have already done that and give her the date it was done.  When she checks with the staff there, it turns out the tech at Unit A had clicked the wrong button and it was someone else’s chart she was looking at.  So back to Unit A to be told that my appointment time is actually at 11:00 a.m..  The tech felt so bad about the mistake and was so apologetic.  Not to worry, Ralph and I were taking it all in stride curious to see what this speed bump was all about.  Trusting that there was a bigger picture unfolding.  

-          We decide that I will go to visit Penny, on the 5^th floor.  Turns out she is away for a test and would be back in an hour.  The nurse tells me I can wait in the lounge.  Back to the main floor lobby to gather up Ralph.  He had bought the Louise Hays Heart Thoughts book for us.  We went up to waiting lounge on the 5^th floor.  It brings back wonderful memories.  There is an outside patio area with a beautiful view of the city.  Floods of more wonderful memories of my days here in the 1990’s.  I am at peace.

-          Went and found that Penny had returned.  We had a wonderful visit.  It felt like the years just melted away and that it was just yesterday that we had talked.  I left her resting after a Therapeutic Touch session.

-          Went back to 5^th floor lounge where Ralph was watching a movie on his mini iPad.  There, to my delight, was the escort staff member I remember from the 1990’s who plays the piano on his coffee and lunch breaks.  He was explaining to others how he plays.  He starts with 1 note, the foundation and then architecturally constructs the building.  He remembers me.  I am feeling so connected and nurtured soaking in all these wonderful past moments in time.

-          I noticed that the date was the 22^nd.  Both our birthdays are on the 22^nd.  I take it as a sign that we are in the right place at the right time.

-          11:00 back at Unit A – I am given bag # 310 that is on a pink hanger which I like because it makes it easier to find.  (later I realize that our apartment number is 110 and my mom lives on the 3^rd floor of the residence she is in.  I take it as another sign)  I am told to change into the gown.  I share with the radiation tech team the many coincidences of our delightful morning.  Turns out that one has a birthday on the 2^nd and one has a birthday on the 11^th.  2 x 11= 22.  (the next day I realize that my moms birthday is on the 2^nd, yet another sign that comforts me)

-          The tech that sent us to the 2^nd floor is relieved when she hears of our morning’s journey.

-          The tech asks me if I would like a warm blanket.  I smile and say yes.  Another connection noticed…  For 2 years I volunteered at the Richmond Hospital Emergency Room.  Offering people warm blankets was a favorite part of my job.  It was a bridge that led to conversation and connection.

-          Neat images popping in during the treatment session.  Crow / Raven sitting on a hedge watching that reminds me of my dad.  Welcoming radiation molecules, picturing them as light bubbles.

-          We are in awe and feeling nurtured as we continued our day.  Probably went somewhere for lunch.

  As I reflect on and record the day’s events, I have the thought that I hope I see the tattoo lady again to tell her about our wonderful day.

 CHAPTER 3            THE MAGIC CONTINUES                MONDAY, TUESDAY… my treatment journey  

        

Tuesday, Sep’t 23, 2014

-          Noticing a beautiful sunrise as we stand at the bus stop and then the reflection of the sun on the buildings at the skytrain station.

-          Pete is on the bus we get on.  More standing hugs 3 days in a row and conversation.

-          At the skytrain, tattoo lady standing right in front of us in the line we chose to line up in.  Delightful conversation with her on skytrain ride.  Showed her the pictures of me with my butterfly mask and lady tattoo from the Mitchell Island event.  We exchanged emails. 

-          Ralph barked at the pack of dogs today as we walked the Orange Line.

-          Showed treatment team my face painting and tattoo pictures.

-          Ralph and I both visited our friend, Penny, on the 5^th floor.

-          Called and booked a Craniosacral session for Thursday at 11 a.m.  (another story of chance meetings)

-          Went to Tai Chi lady’s monthly lunch at Mayfair Golf Course.

-          Went to seniors centre and played Texas Hold-em poker.  Sat next to Flo (knew her daughter back in 1992 at the BCCA relaxation group)  Another sign all is well.

-          I am noticing the balance in my days.  We make a point of choosing to stop somewhere for lunch and explore thrift stores along the way.

CHAPTER 4         THINGS THAT STICK OUT           MONDAY, TUESDAY… my treatment journey

I am at day 15 of 25 now.  The magic continues as I document all these awesome moments each day.

In summary, things that stick out:

-          The white boards in the elevators with inspirational thoughts.  Some clever person(s) erases some of the letters to create a whole new sentence.  Ie. The Proverbs verse turned into “from Gin comes all great things.  Pro”

-          I find the sounds of the treatment machines very soothing and they trigger a relaxation response.

-          Noticed my urge to walk right on the orange line.  Noticed Ralph at the starting point of all the colored lines as he firmly plants his foot on the orange line and starts to march on.  Notice that all lines lead back to the same place.  

-          One day as I am following the lines, the thought – “oh, glad I don’t have to follow the ‘green line’ with images of that movie “The Green Mile” and then immediately felt comforted by the thought as there was magical healing in that movie.  I had a calming feeling flow through me.

-          First Wed, ICBC bank was giving away bags at the skytrain station and telling everyone to come back Monday for some free gifts.  Now I was looking forward to Monday.

-          Mask marks my forehead.  Ralph calling me ‘waffle head’…  Tech guy used term ‘honey comb’.  It takes a couple hours to go away.  I notice that it is the only thing that deflates my bubble.  Wondering how I can transform it into a positive image for my healing.  Penny smiles when I visit because she sees I have just had my treatment.

-          BCCA  has wi-fi for guests.  First week the password was ‘learning’, this week it changed to ‘canadian’  (Ralph worked for Canadian Airlines)

-          Been listening to Coast to Coast radio programs and unity.fm hour long interview radio programs and TED talk online video’s, and YouTube video’s, all very timely finds and healing for me in the moment.

-          Mix up on the Wed of the 2^nd week.  My appointment card had 9:30 treatment time + doctor.  Never did see doctor.  While we were waiting in the examining room we watched a TED talk that Ralph had watched and had wanted me to see.  Chris Abani on Humanity.  Very touching.  Perfect timing.  Doctor’s assistant eventually checks with us and apologized.  She said we could leave.

-          We have found different entrances to the BCCA building.  We stop and admire the moss on the barrier wall at the parking entrance.

-          Noticed how good it felt to see one of the jigsaw puzzles in the waiting room finished.

-          Thur, Oct 2, moms birthday.  Only 3 of us on the bus.  Skytrain only half full.  Seemed like we were in the TWILIGHT ZONE.

-          Noticed Shamrock stickers on the bathroom mirror at the waiting room.  I still have stickers on my bathroom mirror at home from the 1990’s connections with other BCCA patients.

-          There is the Unity Prayer Chaplain connection.  The monthly meeting, always have an education component.  Recently we have been working with Catherine Ponders book, The Dynamic Laws of Prayer.  Specifically the chapters on the prayers of denial, cleansing, decree.  So right on in the moment for me.

-          It is the 50^th Anniversary for the Unity Church in Vancouver.  They are doing a project inviting people to write their Unity story.  Collecting 50 stories for 50 years.  Even had a Café evening to help us with our story writing.  It has inspired me to write this story.

I could go on and on….

One more amazing story.

Some background first.  Back in the 1990’s, there was a core group of us that volunteered at the Cancer Clinics relaxation and Therapeutic Touch programs.  At the time there was a music therapist working here.  She provided live music at the relaxation groups.  So many more wonderful stories…

Penny was one of the group and she told the others, Gertie and Sandy, when they came to visit that Ralph and I had been visiting.

Friday, Oct 10^th, I find Penny is busy with the nurse so I head down the hall heading for the lounge.  Who is walking towards me, my sweet dear friend, Gertie.  We go back to the lounge for a catch up chat.

Even though we had all drifted apart, we are always there for each other.  A few years ago when I had surgery for an intestinal blockage, Gertie and Sandy would come visit me and do Therapeutic Touch.

She tells me this amazing story.

She phoned the music therapist to let her know that Penny is in hospital.  She asked her if she could visit Penny and bring her guitar.  Turns out she has retired as a Music Therapist (worked many years at Canuck Place)  Yes, she will visit and yes she will bring her guitar.  Then she says that 2 weeks ago (about the same time Penny was hospitalized) she started working as a counselor at the Hospice that Penny is waiting to be moved to.

That night, Victoria, another of the core group phoned me.  We have all reconnected and come full circle.  I am feeling blessed and supported.    Thank you for listening.

Chapter 5             Remembering More Amazing Points 

                                                                               

Writing another chapter is hard.  Not sure whether I have duplicated thoughts, which is toying with my perfectionism self.  Yet another blessing for my healing.

  

So here I go….                

-          In July, I put feelers out and found a new home for Craniosacral Therapy books, tapes, etc., with Mary Jane who has blessed me with weekly C. S. sessions ever since.  She is nearing the end of a 2 year course.

-          2 years ago we heard about and got the B.C. Bus Pass.  $45.00 / year if you qualify.  Direct easy trip by bus and skytrain daily.  No parking hassles or costs / no waiting for Free Mason volunteer drivers.

-          Bus ride home in August from Mary Jane’s, I saw a restaurant ‘Bon Off Broadway’ and decided to go for lunch.  Old and grimy with walls full of graffiti.  Next day, I took Ralph there after a day at the Pacific National Exhibition.  It is one of our favorite places to head to for lunch after my radiation appointments.

-          2010, Gertie and Sandy would come and do Therapeutic Touch on me when I was in Vancouver Hospital.

-          Finding awesome Healing / Masters Summit replays online that are speaking to me.

-          When I was experiencing the pain I chose to stay home from church.  It gave us both the space we needed.

-          Noticing that I am feeling more energetic / doing more than I normally do.  Choosing to take the bus and skytrain back and forth.  Walking up and down the stairs / escalators.

-          Prayer Chaplain meeting we all got inspirational gift of a booklet that works for me in this moment.

-          Got my hair cut recently.  Always had a physical tensing whenever someone wanted to give me bangs.  I think it stems from childhood memories of mom cutting my hair using a bowl on my head.  Realized that I was holding onto this wound and decided to let it heal.  I asked the hairdresser for bangs and noticed that I was enjoying the experience and that there was no physical response, or better yet – a warming sense of relaxing.  I have been enjoying my new haircut and it feels great.  Covers up my ‘honey comb forehead’.

-          Enjoying the different colors of felt pen markings.  For last treatment celebration I want Rad team to write notes on me. 

-          Not following Doctors directions:

v  Sore throat went away, did not get worse this week like the doctor said it would, so didn’t have to modify what I ate or drank.

v  Haven’t been getting more tired.  Actually been getting more energetic and feeling alive.

v  Haven’t been staying away from crowds.

-          Enjoying seeing a jigsaw puzzle finished.

-          Fascinated by the moss growing on the parking lot barrier wall.  Using it as treatment image.                                                         

-          Noticed toilet paper stuck to me after treatment one day and embraced the moment, sharing it with Ralph which led to more hilarious stories of his days at work.

-          Looking for Unity stories has led to decluttering and organizing my file cabinet.  Threw out tons.

-          Went to Monday morning relaxation group.  Had a laugh that morning as I was getting dressed when I decided to wear my green slacks and a green top > clothes that I had worn back in the 1990’s.

-          Noticed how wonderful it felt to get a clean gown.

-          Math Question: hand sticker in washroom stall says 3,313 people have flushed.  Then on the stall door it says 1,827 people have touched this handle.  Where did the others go?  Ralph thinks they got flushed.

-          Found myself blessing the machines, techs, inventors, builders, and all involved.

-          Walked for blocks with my shoelace untied conquering fear and to see if it was true that I would trip.  I didn’t.

-          Jack Layton quote in elevator can be read 2 ways.

-          Reconnected with librarian at the BCCA library.

-          Enjoyed outside 5^th floor patio today.  Healing memories flooding back as I walked the walking path.  Used the walking path as a walking meditation when I attended the Mindful Meditation workshops in the 90’s.

-          Enjoying ‘piano man’ other days too!  He also plays piano on the main floor.  How wonderful to be serenaded while in the washroom.

-          Had a great Thanksgiving Dinner at friends.  Techs wrote ‘happy turkey day’ on appointment card.

-          Read Penny’s blogspot and was inspired.

-          Printed Chapters 1 – 4 and put them in a binder with a picture of us, and gave it to the Unit A team.  Been adding chapters as they come.

-           Noticing that I have a different reaction to anything ‘Breast Cancer’.  Full page spread in paper Ralph was reading on skytrain and I found I was looking at and lovingly admiring all that everyone involved does.  My past reaction was one of cringing and feeling yucky.

   

CHAPTER 6      Heading to the Rabbit Hole

                                                                   

Tuesday, Oct 21^st, 2014

  Caught myself heading down the ‘rabbit hole’ while I was walking down W. 10^th to the clinic this morning.  Noticed I was starting to affirm what I was noticing, “ I’m tired and it’s only Tuesday.  How am I going to make it through the rest of the week…

                          …. and

                                            down

                                                          I

                                                                   gooooo….  into the mire of negativity…  

STOP !!!

What can I think of instead?  A few steps further on a thought pops in….  “Be a HUMAN BIRTHDAY CARD for Ralph’s 80^th birthday tomorrow.  Get the RAD team to sign my body with Birthday Wishes for Ralph with their Sharpie felt pens.

And off I go on a completely different thought journey that changed my day and the days to come.

   

Changing my thought, changed my mood and I felt energized.

  RAD team played along and the Human Birthday card was born.  Penny added her signature when I went to visit her.  On the way home I encountered Pete just as he was standing up from his spot at the skytrain entrance – another standing hug.  He accepted my offer to buy him breakfast, so off we went to Bob’s cafe.  I told him how I was a Human Birthday Card and he was pleased to add to it.  Later in the day, Ralph’s wood carving buddies at the Seniors Centre added their best wishes and so did my mates at the Texas Hold-em poker group.

  On the way home from poker, I noticed the lights still on in the wood carving shop and looked to see who was still there.  Surprise, surprise!  It was Ralph.  So we headed off together to the Dining Terrace at the Richmond mall to eat, before heading home.  Once home I presented myself as a Human Birthday card to him.  He was delighted.  He kept laughing at me all night long.

 

Yes, we took pictures….  Hee hee!  I will show you in person, but I will not email or share them online….  The world is just not ready for that.  LOL   The RAD team are the only other ones that have seen the live canvas.  Thanks gang for supporting us on this journey.  Everyone laughed when I told them what I wanted them to do.  I will probably be reliving this story for days to come as everyone will want to know how Ralph reacted.

Showered and washed it all down the drain…  Mmmm that could be a life story in itself…

CHAPTER 7           3 D Printers

                                               

Tuesday, Oct 21^st continues to unfold

More about my visit with Penny. 

The thread of our conversation went like this.

-          Talking about FaceBook and that I still haven’t gotten used to using it.  She said the library would teach me for free.

-          That sparked her memories of the 1^st time she went to the Richmond main library when it was on No. 3 Road in an office building.

-          Which led me tell her that the main Richmond library now has 3D printers.  Told her how Ralph has been to a bunch of their workshops and that the ‘whistle’ he got made works great.  Her eyes sparkled as she asked if I could get her something as she had never seen anything made from a 3D printer.

After breakfast with Pete, I continue on to the Richmond library.  Thanks to the librarian that works with the 3D printer, I got 4 items – the Eiffel Tower, a ring, the whistle and a “ghost” bookmark.  (Penny talks about how she would love to come back as a ghost)

  

CHAPTER 8       HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ralph

                                          

Wednesday, Oct 22nd 6:00 a.m.

  I also bought 4 birthday cards at the Dollar Store.  Googled inspirational birthday wishes and came up with 4 that fit.  One card was a Happy 80^th birthday and in that one I wrote, “ How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? “  It was the first one that I had randomly selected to give him this morning.  He held it up and told me I had made a mistake.  He was holding it upside down so that it read  ‘ 08 ‘.  Guess that is the answer.  LOL

  I showed him a YouTube video I had found of Puddles the clown singing Hallelujah and that led him to other Hallelujah YouTube videos and his favorite, K.D. Lang as he is cuddled up in bed with Teddy and Squishy (more stories to write – stuff animals each with their own story)  Most beautiful sight that fills me with Love bubbles.

  Taking my Mini IPad to show Penny the pictures of the ‘Human Birthday Card’.  Turned out she had been given extra pain medication and was out like a light.  I wrote a note about the 3D printed objects and left them on her table.  Did a bit of energy work and left.

  I had iMessaged and emailed Birthday Greetings to Ralph from the waiting lounge on floor ‘ 0 ‘ and before heading home, I also phoned and wished him Happy Birthday.

  Got home and had a nap.  Ralph was puttering.  We decided to go to the Lunch Buffet at the River Rock Casino.  It was yummy, better than I remember it being.  Everything I had, tasted spectacular.  Had fun gambling.  Home by 4:30 p.m.  Birthday greetings on answering machine from son Ted and then grandsons Nathan and Ryan singing Happy Birthday.  Middle brother John, from Ontario, phoned this evening.  Even found birthday greetings from people on FaceBook.  Lots of wonderful memories created. 

Life is Fantastic.  (another story here, as it is a regular part of the Sunday service at Unity of Vancouver)

Also bought a Happy Belated birthday card to continue the celebration into tomorrow and I am all excited to give it to him in the morning.  That gives me an idea….  I can go to ecards and send him some belated birthday greetings.  He has been getting ecards from me for a week now and has sent me some wonderful thank you ecards back. 

 

So much fun.

CHAPTER 9       Looking Back, Moving On

  There is so much more to the story.  How do I even begin to share all the details, or do I need to, for we all have our own details that can equally fill in the blanks.  There is so much more to Life.  What is in Your Laundry Basket?

  As I continue to choose to follow my thoughts as an explorer, the world of magic continues to reveal itself in ways that even I can’t ignore.  My eyes have been opened and I can see.

 

  I notice even the softest touch of a universal nudge.  Sometimes in the moment of happening, sometimes after the fact…, and even sometimes a long time after.  Some more examples are:

-          It’ s Friday night and I am sitting quietly writing in my journal recording the days events which have been quite amazing.  By the date of each days entry, I have also included how many Radiation Treatments I am at.  Ie. September 22, was Day 1 and so on.  So I flip back a couple of pages to see what number I last recorded.  AND there it is – staring me in the face…  Wednesday, Oct. 22 with DAY 22, the 22 day on the 22^nd, Ralphs birthday.   My oh my, however did I miss you.  I am awe struck and share this latest find with Ralph.

-          Friday morning, my appointment card confirms it, next Monday is my “last one”.  I catch the fleeting moment of sadness welling up.  A bitter sweet moment.

-          Volunteers at Silent Unity continue praying on every prayer for 30 days in their Prayer Chapel 24 hours a day which makes me feel uplifted and supported.  So another thought that popped into my awareness the other day was to make a commitment to pray every day for 30 days with Silent Unity.  What a journey a thought can take me on!  I found myself going down the road of “what if’s”, “am I allowed to”, “do I have the right to”, “would I be wasting their time”, “what will they think”…  You know, creating problems where there are no problems.  Stuff surfacing, my stuff, still stuff, stuffed down inside somewhere.  Oh, and how am I going to keep track – I will need a different notebook or maybe I could use a calendar…  You get the picture, right!  So I decide to make the 30 day commitment.  Ahh!  Use the Notes app on the mini iPad to keep track.  What will I ask them to pray for!!  What will the 1^st prayer be for, to set the tone so to speak.  Boy, oh boy, what a process I put myself through…  LOL.  Ah, Ha! 

     -  DAY 1  I will ask for a prayer for everyone at Silent Unity and the work they do.

     -  DAY 2  For the vibration of love in the universe to increase, and that begins with me.

     -  DAY 3  For ALL the gifts God brings us in life, no matter what they look and feel like.

And tomorrow, when the moment comes, I trust that the perfect prayer will sprout forth.

-          Thursday’s journey led me to follow the ‘purple’ line to see the Radiation Support Nurse.  The ‘purple’ line parallels the ‘green’ line I have talked about.  So I get to follow the ‘green’ line after all.  Then I wonder why I just didn’t explore it anyway… why wait for a hand and arm swelling, if I had gone down that road that was calling me earlier – would my swollen hand and arm have needed to manifest!  The ‘purple’ line leads to a magical land of the most magnificent waiting room.  I stop and enjoy.  It is a day that I have my mini iPad so I take tons of pictures which I got to share with Ralph.  I can hardly wait until I can take him there on Monday.  And, yes, of course I continued on following the ‘green’ line to its end.  Then back to find the Support Nurse to get guidance and information.  Ah thought, phone the Canadian Cancer Society Information Line for help.

CHAPTER 10      A Story Within A Story

  Penny is not responding.  The nurse tells me that she is being transferred to the UBC Hospice at 10 a.m.  She had packed up most of Penny’s stuff and I busy myself taking down the pictures and cards from the white board and walls.  Penny’s cousin, Joan, is on her way. 

   Various staff and doctors came to see Penny.  Then I was told that Penny is not going anywhere after all.  Too close to the end.  Joan arrives and is updated.  We all know that this is what Penny wanted.  She has enjoyed watching the days begin as she looks at the gorgeous view of the city and mountains from this private room.  It is convenient to get to and the medical staff are dear to her heart.  (I find tears welling up and emotions surfacing as I write this)  I will miss you, my friend.

  I had the Mini iPad to show Penny the pictures of me as the Human Birthday card, she too had signed.  I shared them with some staff and with Joan, Gertie and Sandy.

  I left.  I planned to phone Gertie from the lobby phone.  I practically trip over Sandy who I find sitting at the table right by the phone and seconds later Gertie arrives.  I fill them in.  They go up to see Penny and Joan.  I phone Victoria to let her know what is happening.

  Life goes on and I co-create balance in my life as I head to the Seniors Centre to play Texas Hold-em poker.

  

  Midnight Thursday wide awake, I finally decide to listen to a free time sensitive replay on my mini iPad.  ‘Peter Schenk’ at Healing Masters Summit with Jennifer McLean.  What a timely gift and a huge healing hour.

CHAPTER 11   Yippee I Noticed

  The perfect chapter number to end with… remember, the 22 connection and one team members birthday was the 11^th and one was the 2^nd = 22.

  Friday, I visit Penny before my treatment session.  Joan is sound asleep on the pull out lounge chair / bed.  I leave them both resting while I go make the prearranged phone call to Gertie and she asks if I would phone again when I visit again after my 8:00 a.m. treatment appointment.  (mmh, more tears – I wonder if Penny has left)  I am back at 8:30 and this time, Joan wakes up.  Yes, she wants a large coffee with cream, so I head down to the cafeteria, stopping at the lobby phoning Gertie, just as she walks around the corner.   We go get coffees and head back up to Penny’s room. 

  It was a wonderful morning of sharing and conversation as various staff dropped in to see Penny.  Gertie and I both let Joan know that we were available to take shifts. 

  I offered to come back on my way home from a lunch date at 11:30 at the Vancouver Hotel with Ralph's ex wife.  They both told me to go straight home after.  They said I would love the Roof restaurant and to take pictures of the view – which I forgot to do.  My time at lunch was awesome.  We had a nice visit and being that I had the mini iPad, she enjoyed looking at the photo’s of family and friends – even the video of daughter doing the ALS ice bucket challenge which she watched 4 times.

  Glad to be home. 

  At 4:30ish Gertie phoned to see if I had taken her black coat.  She can’t find it anywhere and is heading home.  Yet another story to follow.

  Worth noting:

-          Wi-fi password is still ‘ canadian ‘

-          Noticed that my wisp of new bangs prevents the ‘waffle / honeycomb’ forehead.

-          In the 1990’s, the best gift I gave myself was to use the Free Mason Volunteer Drivers program.  Gertie shared with Joan that I was the one who told her about the drivers and that it enabled her and her husband and kids to attend the relaxation circle.  That it was a life saver of a program for them all.

 Journey Summary.  What I was told to expect and do, and what I actually experienced 

v  Sore throat went away, did not get worse the next week like the doctor said it would, so I didn’t have to modify or be careful of what I ate or drank.

v  Haven’t been getting more tired.  Actually been getting more energetic and feeling alive.  Noticing that I am doing more than I normally do.  Choosing to take the bus and skytrain back and forth.  Walking up and down the stairs / escalators.

v  Haven’t been staying away from crowds.  Traveled by bus and Canada Line skytrain to treatment appointments every day.  Went to poker group, malls, stores, ‘greasy spoon’ restaurants and not so ‘greasy spoon’ restaurants, casino, church and church functions & more.

v  Never did use the prescription for steroid ointment for the red skin.  The salt compress and Aveeno itch relief cream work great.

v  Had weekly Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy which is a gentle yet profound non-invasive, hands-on treatment for the whole body.  Performed on a massage table, the client is fully clothed and the touch is generally light and still.  The treatment is focused on supporting the health of the whole being, especially the nervous system.  This is the system that dictates all of the body’s functioning,  constantly sending and receiving information.

  Finally, I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, all those behind the scenes (scheduling appointment times and keeping the machines running, cleaning staff, maintenance, cafeteria, food service, administration and support staff and more), volunteers (jig saw puzzles, books, coffee cart and more), other patients and their supporters and everyone else involved in running this well oiled machine.  I especially enjoyed revisiting the weekly Monday morning relaxation program.  Great job all.

  Just noticed – In the beginning, I asked for early morning appointment times as it was important to me to be able to go to the Relaxation Circle I had enjoyed back in 1992 – 1997, first as a patient and then as a volunteer in soothing touch / Therapeutic Touch, skills I learned at BCCA workshops.  Again, tons of pages of stories there.  I  moved on and continue to volunteer and help facilitate the Richmond Hospice Associations weekly Relaxation Group.

  

  The 8:00 a.m. time slot was key to this journey as already mentioned in the Monday September 22 mix up or I should say, seemed like a mix up, that lead to awesome healing moments of transformational beauty. 

   I just had a phone conversation with a lady that gave me the perfect way to end this.

“ If you are doing everything right, there is no need to worry “

Pen Name: Sage (another amazing story)

*  Names have been changed for confidentiality.

A  JAW DROPPING EXPERIENCE

Sunday October 26, 2014

Penny’s story continues.

My husband Ralph and I have tickets for the Beverley Elliott play tonight, ‘didn’t see that coming’, at the Unity Church we attend.  Her one man play was picked as the top six at this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival.  It has already been a magic filled morning of ‘accidental’ story moments that I will also submit to the 50 stories for 50 years project that is part of the churches 50^th anniversary celebration.  

After church we head to the Vancouver B.C. Cancer Agency to visit Penny, a dear friend I first met at the BCCA back in the early 1990’s.  She is on her journey home to the other side.  She has been unresponsive since last Wednesday.  The journey with her has been magical.  Penny was part of the core group of five of us that volunteered for years with the relaxation and Therapeutic Touch programs at the clinic.  We haven’t seen each other for years and now we have all come together again as Penny orchestrates’ her magic.

This is the story of how this jaw dropping experience unfolds.

    Penny’s hospital room is crowded when we arrive.  Gertie, one of the core group of five, is there and she takes us to the quiet room to visit with us.  This is the first time Ralph has seen her in years.  When we wander back to Penny’s room, Penny’s friends and relatives are just leaving.

   That leaves the 3 of us to visit Joan, Penny’s cousin who has been sleeping over.  The memories start to flow as we tell Joan all about back in the 1990’s when… stories.  Sandy, another core group five, arrives.  It is a wonderful afternoon of trips down memory lane.  We talked about the music therapist, Katherine, who arrived to do a rotation at BCCA as a student and then was hired on as a music therapist.  She eventually moved on and worked at Canuck Place for years and is now retired from Music Therapy.

   MY JAW DROPPED when I saw Katherine walking our way.  She had her guitar.

   Words don’t do this story justice. 

   We were treated to the most touching magical private musical concert all thanks to Penny.  After a couple of songs, Katherine added stories to our trip down memory lane.  Then more guitar playing and singing.  Another of Penny’s friends arrived and started to sing along with Katherine.  We were in heaven.

   It’s 5:00 p.m. and Ralph and I haven’t eaten.  We tell them that our churches music director, Beverley Elliott, is putting on her play tonight.  Katherine says, “ you have a dynamite of a music director “ and starts singing a song that Beverley wrote called, ‘Are You Listening’.

   That night at the play, the icing on the cake moment for us was when Beverley sang ‘Are You Listening’

Many blessings to you all.

Sage

For more about this journey with Penny, check it out at lynnstory.blogspot.ca

* names have been changed for confidentiality 
**  When we visited Penny this morning, Gertie (not her real name) told me she had read this to Penny.  Then she told me that 'Gertie' was her mother’s name.

HOW DID WE MISS THIS ONE  

  How did we miss this one.  It is so blatantly obvious now that I see it. 

  Wide awake, thinking go back to sleep – you can sleep in today.  Having conversations in my head, as ah ha – need to release and let go of that.  Smile and move on.  Then I find myself thinking of Penny.  Ah, check her blogspot, see if Mary, has added any new updates.  So, I reach for my mini iPad and nope, nothing new. 

  I reread the last entry posted by Mary.  They had agreed that she would come today to update Penny’s facebook page…  Penny would talk and the friend would write.  She talks about her visit Tuesday night, when Penny was really alert and very talkative.  Wednesday, Penny is unresponsive. 

  And then I notice IT.

  That last entry was made on October 22, Ralph's birthday.

  I too, had a long rich meaningful visit with Penny on the Tuesday.  She even asked if I could stay longer and visit, so I did.  If you have read the Soul Journey story, it’s the day that we talked about the Richmond Library having 3D printers.  Her eyes lit up and she asked me to bring her something as she had never seen anything that was 3D printed.  She added her message to my back for Ralphs ‘human birthday card’ writing, Have fun Penny.

  As usual, I say goodbye before doing Therapeutic Touch.  I don’t normally interrupt the relaxation process by talking, but today I share the thoughts I was getting from her legs and feet.  “ images about all the places they have taken her “.  She smiles.

  Wednesday, the nurse tells me that Penny has had a rough night and that they have given her extra pain medication and she may not respond.  My visit is short.  After a bit of T.T., I leave.

 

  Smiling here, as I just remembered to get my tea from the kitchen counter.  Penny had me well trained for our morning visits when I would help her with her breakfast tray.  First get her teeth, then open juice, yogurt, put jam on the toast, whatever was needed – but never put the tea bag in the cup of hot water until she wanted to.  Sometimes I would ask, “Is it tea time yet?”  Sometimes it was a ‘Yes’ and sometimes a ‘No, not yet’.  Cheers Penny as I fondly remember our time together as I drink my tea.

  I cherish the amazing connections I am noticing on this journey and wonder how many more have slipped by unnoticed.  Will I ever notice all the beautiful gifts divinely sent!  My being is filled with gratitude, so much beauty to behold.

Thanks for finding me. 

Sage

THRESHOLD CHOIR CONNECTION

  One of Penny’s librarian teacher friends also leads the Vancouver chapter of the Threshold Choir and came everyday with one or two other choir members to sing for Penny. 

From the Threshold Choirs website:

“When invited to a bedside, our singers serve to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying.”

 

  Our Richmond Hospice Coordinator of Volunteers invited the Choir to present and demonstrate at one of our Volunteer meetings a couple of years ago.  She has since joined the choir herself. 

  

  We had 2 Art Therapy students as guest presenters at last Thursdays Hospice Volunteer meeting.  It was a rich and wonderful experience of hands on learning of a new tool to add to our tool box.  After the meeting I spent a few minutes with our Coordinator and discovered that she was one of the choir members that visited Penny.  They recognized each other from the BCCA relaxation group days back in the 1990’s.  The Coordinator has also been reading my Soul Journey story and wondered if my Penny character was this person she recognized and connected with.  It was.

  When I phoned Gertie Friday morning, she told me that Penny had died about 4 a.m.  It doesn’t surprise any of us that Penny chose Halloween to leave.  We will miss you dear one.

              Here is what Mary posted online.

Dear Friends of Val
  It's Lori once again.  It saddens me to inform everyone that Val passed away early this morning.  At the same time, I take comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace...it was a long, long struggle that she fought without complaint.  Pru said she went peacefully, as she had wished.  And how very like her to choose this day!

  The outpouring of love for Val over these last few months has been astounding.  Especially in these last weeks, her room has almost always had someone there with her, and I know how she enjoyed hearing from everyone near and far.

  Last week, the Val Hamilton teacher-librarian award was presented at the BCTLA conference.  All her work for our profession and learning conditions was mentioned, and Jim Iker was in attendance.  He took the time to visit Val the next day and personally thank her for all her important contributions. A real gentleman, for sure, and I know Val would be so pleased to have heard that conversation.

  Thank you, everyone, for every little thing you did to enhance Val's life and final days.
She will be missed.